Google also said that searches from within Android ended the year up 10 times. ("10x actually is what was said.") "I think that this is the year that phones will play the big role in commerce, like I predicted," said Google Senior VP of Product Management Jonathan Rosenberg.

Other highlights from the Q&A:

Rosenberg on tablets vs. smartphones: "They're both viable."

Mobile search grew 4 times on mobile devices. "No doubt that this market absolutely is cranking."